By Julianne Dodge

We, at the Navarro County Times, are excited to announce that we are working hand-in-hand with the Humane Society of Navarro County to raise funds to help take care of local animals in need. The Times is donating a portion of every new subscription received during August, September and October to the Humane Society. The Times has pledged a minimum donation to the Humane Society, as well as an additional pledge for every subscription sold. The money will be used to provide spay/neuter services, as well as provide funding for the new building campaign to benefit the city of Corsicana Animal Shelter, which serves all of Navarro County. For the low, low cost of $25 per year, Navarro County readers can enjoy the Times each week, knowing that they have also helped out a worthy cause. Be on the look out for a call from The Navarro County Times Subscription Sales Team and say Yes! Say Yes! to receiving the best, most informative newspaper in your mailbox each week! Say Yes! to helping care for needy animals in Navarro County! You may choose to be invoiced or to pay via a credit card and get your subscription started immediately.

Navarro County Times in conjunction with Roy’s Backporch has been in the early planning stages of a Billy Joe Shaver Tribute concert. NCT received word on Monday that Billy Joe Shaver will be unable to attend any event throughout the remainder of the year because of health issues. The event has been put on hold pending a new date being reset with the Billy Joe Shaver camp.

Shaver underwent cardiac surgery in July and most recently a procedure last week to repair damage to his ligaments in his left shoulder. We wish him a speedy recovery!

By Kris Smith

Texas musician and living legend, Billy Joe Shaver, celebrated his birthday at home this year due to medical conditions. In June, Shaver had cardiac procedures performed at a Texas hospital. Sources stated that Shaver had planned to restart his concert schedule in August but he felt he needed to take some much needed rest. “I think God came down and did this to me so that I’d rest up a while. I wouldn’t have slowed down otherwise,” stated the legend.

Shaver, a native of Corsicana, has stated on several occasions, “Corsicana is and always will be my home.” Raised on 15^th Street by his grandmother, Shaver began his career by selling newspapers on the street and singing to his customers. After the death of his grandmother, Billy Joe and his sister Patricia went to live with his mother in Waco where he continued to perform at the nightclubs his mother, Victory, worked.

Upon his release from the U.S. Navy, which he joined on his 17^th birthday, Shaver worked a series of dead-end jobs, including when he attempted to be a rodeo cowboy. “I learned pretty fast that this job was not for me,” Shaver stated. While working in a lumber mill, Shaver lost the better part of two fingers on his right hand as well as a serious infection.

It was at this same time that Billy Joe met the love of his life, Brenda Joyce Tindell, who gave him his only son, John Edwin Shaver born in 1962. Shaver also decided to teach himself how to play the guitar with missing fingers and all. At this point, he decided that life was too short to do things he did not enjoy. Shaver made plans to hitch hike to Los Angeles, however he couldn’t get a ride west. “I could only get a ride to Memphis,” states Shaver. Shaver headed to Nashville, where he obtained a job making $50.00 per week as a staff songwriter. At this point, Shaver caught the attention of recording artist and outlaw country legend, Waylon Jennings, who filled most of his album, Honky Tonk Heroes with Shaver’s songs. This eventually led to his own record deal.

Unfortunately, the first recording companies he was signed to soon folded, and Shaver was back to composing for other artists.

Shaver never become a household name as a singer, but did gain recognition as a songwriter for artists such as Willie Nelson, Nanci Griffith, Charlie Daniels, and many others.

After losing his wife and mother to cancer in 1999, Shaver lost his son and phenomenal guitarist Eddy to a heroin overdose on New Years Eve of the same year.

Shaver himself almost died the following year due to a heart attack onstage during a performance at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels. It appeared that 2000 would finally bring Billy Joe Shaver the recognition he so greatly deserved when he was invited to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. Finally in 2006, Billy Joe Shaver was inducted in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He recently served as spiritual advisor to the Texas independent gubernatorial candidate and fellow Texan Kinky Friedman. For his efforts, the Americana Music Convention awarded him their Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting.

In July, Shaver cancelled his scheduled dates due to health issues and underwent heart surgery and most recently Shaver is undergoing ligament surgery this past week. His tour dates have been cancelled for the remainder of the year but you cannot keep Billy Joe down! He will be back on the road in no time!

Corsicana’s Favorite son and texas music legend billy joe shaver has undergone his second surgery on monday. Currently Shaver has cancelled his dates for the remainder of the year. to give him time to rest.

Indictments

On Thursday, The Grand Jury in Navarro County returned indictments in the following cases:

Justin Middleton-Unauthorized Discharge of Waste

John G. Mulchy-Unauthorized Discharge of Waste

Zachary Cockerham-Criminal Mischief

David A. Day-Possession of a Firearm by Felon

Sonya Moore-Tampering w/ Govenmental Records

Johnny Lance Edwards-Theft of Wire/cable

Kameron L. Jackson-Stalking(Harrassment)

Shaun Michael Staton-Possession of Methamphetamine Greater than 4oz. Less than 5 lbs.

Jacob Vance Broussard-Posession of Methamphetamine Greater than 4 oz. Less than 5 lbs.

Henry Evans-Driving While Intozicated 3^rd offence of Subsequent

Marco Ruiz-Driving While Intoxicated with a child less than 15 years of age

Silvino Leyva-Driving While Intoxicated with a child less than 15 years of age

Jose Pizarro-Unlawful Possession of Firearm by a Felon

Jimmy Ngoc Tu- Possession of a Controlled Substance Greater than 4 grams less than 200 grams

Mark Yearsley-Driving While Intoxicated 3^rd offence or Subsequent

Jeremy D. Qualls-Forgery

Steve Azua-Credit Card Abuse

Juan Antonio Castro-Burglary of a Habitation

Continued to 2B

Donna Anne Martin-Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than one gram

Darrel A. Singletary-Prohibited Substance in a Correctional Facility

Richard A. Wetmore-Possession of a Controlled Substance greater than 4 grams less than 200 grams with Intent to Deliver

Anthony D. Hash-Failure to Comply w/ Sex Offender Registration

Devlon Deaqual Johnson-Possession of Methamphetamine Greater than 4 oz. Less than 5 lbs

Cody Breen Montrell Lee-Possession of Methamphetamine greater than 4 oz. Less than 5 lbs

John F. Page-Possession of Methamohetamine Greater than 4 oz. Less than 5 lbs

Darrel A. Singletary-Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty group 1 greater than 1 gram less than 4 grams

Kenneth Ray Walker-Evading Arrest

Eric Veola a.k.a. Erick Alcada- Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle

Randell Click-Unlawful Restraint

Roy C. Jones-Assault Family Violence Airway Restricted

John Wayne Burnett-Organized Crime

Terry Waldrop-Organized Crime

Charles Krupnik-Organized Crime

Michelle R. Herrada-Organized Crime

Joshua Martinez-Robbery

Angel Granadas-Robbery

Cullen Dunbar-Possession of a Controlled Substance penalty group 1 Greater than 200 grams less than 400 grams with Intent to Deliver

Cullen Dunbar-Aggravated Assault

Cullen Dunbar-Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Cullen Dunbar-Possession of Methamphetamine Greater than 5 lbs less than 50 lbs

Deantre Hawkins-Aggravated Assault

Alexia Misenheimer-Aggravated Assault

Jeremy D. Qualls-Theft

Jeremy D. Qualls-Theft

Jeremy D. Qualls-Credit Card Abuse

Cedrick K. Craft- Aggravated Assault

Cedrick K. Craft-Aggravated Kiddnapping

Malchianged Eberdong-Evading Arrest

David Randolph-Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1 gram

Erik Ocon-Deadly Conduct

Willie Solomon-Burglary of a Habitation

Caleb Fletcher-Burglary of a Habitation

Rogelio Ayala-Assault Family Violence

Byron Nathan-Burglary of Vehicles

Byron Nathan-Evading Arrest

Christopher Brown-Burglary of a Habitation

Byron Nathan-Burglary of Vehicles

Andre Lamont Kelly-Aggravated Assault

Hilario Hernandez- Intoxicated Assault

Tiffany I. Pate-Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1 gram

Tiffany I Pate-Forgery

Charles R. Skweres-Forgery

Cynthia A Garcia-Theft

Marcus Ballard-Evading Arrest

Troy Blanton-Forgery

Troy Blanton-Forgery

Troy Blanton-Forgery

By Stephen R. Farris

The proposed budget for Navarro County’s 2010-2011 fiscal year has been delayed in being posted, at least until the next Commissioner’s Court meeting scheduled for Monday, August 30, 2010.

County Auditor, Kathy Hollomon, said at this point, the fund balance is projected to be at $3.3 million, and the general fund balance is $619,508 (expenditures over revenues).

Hollomon also pointed out the precincts are starting out with deficet budgets varying in amounts as well.

“This is where we currently stand,” Hollomon said, as she expects the final budget totals to be close to those figures. “Really the two open issues

Continued on Page 2A

are the new system for the DA’s office, and the Court-At-Law could some more to the expenditures.”

Hollomon was referring to a proposal kicked around by commissioners in Tuesday’s meeting about setting up a Court-At-Law system here in Navarro County, but the July 1^st deadline was missed, plus there was no money to budget for it at the time.

The court is seeking a request to get it going, but may not have an answer in time for this budget year.

Over the past week commissioners have been meeting in executive session discussing the salaries of the four elected constables.

Judge H.M. Davenport, Jr. said the sessions basically amounted in the shifting of money from Precinct 3, and dividing it up between Precincts 1 and 4, with Pct. 1’s money set at about $15,000, and Pct. 4 at $17,000 a year.

Davenport also mentioned, coming out of Monday’s regular scheduled meeting, that commissioners decided to go forward with the closing of SECR 1230 near Streetman, and decided since the City of Streetman annexed SECR 1240 into their city limits, to go ahead and leave that one open since Streetman will now be responsible for maintaining the road.

One additional item Davenport commented on was the TDHCA Home Program to help those folks who were flooded out during the June floods near Dawson.

“It might take six months to a year to get anything … its kind of a sad situation on the way it works,” said Davenport. “Still, it’s the only thing we can ask for, so we’re going forward and trying to get the proposals for the person who is going to actually administer it. He’ll do the applications and start the ball rolling.”

In other news, commissioners met briefly Wednesday afternoon to hear a presentation concerning a possible partnership between the County and Navarro Regional Hospital over Indigent Healthcare under the UPL (Upper Payment Limited) program.

The presentation, made by both Eric Weatherford, with the law firm of Brown-McCarroll, who was representing Navarro Regional Hospital, and Greg Hudson, with the law firm of Hudson and O’Leary, who was brought in by Davenport to advise the County.

What the presentation offered is the chance for the two entities (County/NRH) to partner together to bring more federal dollars into the community.

Under the program, the county would be relieved of handling Indigent Healthcare as part of the partnership. In turn, the county would agree to pay quarterly contributions.

While the county would still be paying out money for the program, minus the expenses, this would generate more federal money coming into the community, while the hospital would be responsible for getting the physicians to see Indigent Healthcare patients.

The UPL program has been in existence for approximatley three-years now, with somewhere between 60-100 counties participating thus far.

“This is a good opportunity for the county,” said Hollomon.

There were concerns, though, as the two employees for the county’s Indigent Healthcare program sat in to listen to the presentation.

They left with many questions, mainly concerning their status as employees, if the program were to be initiated by commissioners.

Although no action was taken in Wednesday’s meeting, Weatherford and Hudson agreed to meet with commissioners to talk more about the program, and any concerns they may have, or benefits the county may receive by participating in it.

It was mentioned several times during the presentation that if the county agreed to participate, they would have the option at any time to withdraw from participating.

The NRH volunteers met at Roy’s Café for their monthly breakfast outing. 

Front row:  Beth Bolen, Vivian Green & Lucille Reffitt

Middle row:  Shirley Barnes, Jeannie Slaughter, Barbara Talley, Jeannine Grundmeier, Jessie Gonzales & Eula Silva

Back row:  Carolyn French, Gennie Lassetter, Margaret Ward, Nita Marshall & Ken Lassetter

NCT Salesperson Annot walthall presents Tonia Drain with tigers’ varsity football season tickets. These tickets were given away at Friday’s Meet The Tigers event held downtown in conjunction with CISD and Navarro County Times.

On Friday, August 20, 2010, between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., Corsicana Police Officers, led by Captain Nori Rhodes, and assisted by an agent of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission conducted an undercover investigation regarding the sale and purchase of alcoholic beverages to minors in Corsicana.

Three Corsicana residents were arrested and booked into the Navarro County Jail for the charge of Purchase/Furnish Alcoholic Beverage to a Minor, which is a Class A Misdemeanor. Eusebio Rojas, 31 years of age, was approached by two minors in the parking lot of the Corsicana Mini Mart, 2500 W. 7^th Avenue, which is also known as the Valero, and told they were unable to purchase alcohol because of their age. The minors then asked him if he would purchase a twelve pack of beer for them and Rojas then offered to purchase a 30 pack of beer for them. The minors gave Rojas the money for a twelve pack of beer and then Rojas made the purchase. Rojas then met the minors across the street and gave them the beer after instructing them to meet him there. Rojas was then arrested after a traffic stop was made in the 2400 block of W. 6^th Avenue.

Elek Okra, 22 years of age, was approached by two minors in the parking lot of the Chevron Jiffy Mart, 2821 W. 7^th Avenue, and told they were unable to purchase alcohol because of their age. The minors then asked him if he would purchase a twelve pack of beer for them and he agreed to do so. Okra then purchased the beer for them after the minors gave him the money. After Okra made the purchase he provided the alcohol to the minors in the parking lot. Okra was then arrested after a traffic stop was made in the 2700 block of W. Collin.

Durine Kirven, 31 years of age, approached the front entrance to the Chevron Jiffy Mart, 2821 W. 7^th Avenue, and observed two minors standing in front of the store. Kirven then asked the minors if they wanted some beer. The minors then told her they wanted a twelve pack of beer and then gave her the money to make the purchase. Kirven then made the purchase and then provided the alcohol to the minors in the parking lot. Kirven was arrested after a traffic stop was made in the 2700 block of W. Park Row.

The above described alcohol purchases are commonly referred to as “shoulder taps” and this is the first enforcement initiative of this kind in over two years in Corsicana, although alcohol stings involving the direct purchase by minors from businesses have been conducted periodically. Chief of Police Randy Bratton stated, “additional enforcement operations of this nature, as well as stings involving the direct purchase of alcohol by minors will be continued in Corsicana in an attempt to make our community safer by reducing alcohol use by minors and by obtaining compliance by our local businesses and citizens regarding the sale of alcohol to minors.” Chief Bratton further stated that adults that host parties where alcohol is served to minors will also be arrested when officers locate such parties.

Chief Bratton noted that the overtime for the undercover operation was entirely paid for with a federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention that the police department recently applied for and received through the State of Texas. The grant, “Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws Block Grant”, was for $5,614 and is administered by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The grant was obtained with the assistance of Impact Navarro, which is part of a state-wide non-profit organization devoted to improving the safety of communities across Texas by reducing alcohol and drug use by minors. Alvis Reeves is the local Director of Impact Navarro and has been very supportive of law enforcement’s efforts regarding these goals.

Police Arrest Three Suspects

In Alcohol Purchase Sting

According to the Department of Public Safety report, 71-year-old Freddie Joe Bartlett, of Purdon, the driver of the van, was west bound in the 16,000 block of FM 744 and was preparing to turn left into a private drive.

At about the time, Hill County residents Brandon Armstrong, 35, along with 46-year-old Debra Joyce Armstrong, who were riding on the motorcycle, approached the driveway entrance from the eastbound lane.

Bartlett turned in front of the oncoming motorcycle, failing to yield right-of-way, causing the bike to strike the front and right side of the van leaving the pair injured.

Both Armstrong’s were taken to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, where Debra Armstrong was pronounced deceased by Dr. Alycia Wanat, due to internal injuries sustained in the accident according to the report.

Brandon Armstrong remained in Parkland Hospital in fair condition with broken bones.

Neither of the riders was wearing a helmet.

The driver of the van was not injured.

Texas State Trooper Chris Williamson is the investigating officer in the case.

Navarro County Sheriff Deputies, Navarro Mills Volunteer Fire Department, and Corsicana Fire and Rescue assisted Williamson at the scene.

Theft On The Rise In Kerens

On Tuesday, felony warrants were served at the Navarro County Jail on charges filed in conjunction with an ongoing investigation by the Kerens Police Department. Chief of Police Bryan Miers obtained and served felony arrest warrants to Melyn Diane Lott. Charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated assault, Lott, 36, had been arrested previously by the Navarro County Sheriff’s Department on other charges. Allegedly, Lott entered the victim’s home unlawfully at knifepoint demanding money. She is currently incarcerated at the Navarro County Jail and at press time had not received a bond.

In a second arrest, Nicole Lynn Holloway, 28, was arrested after a month long investigation from KPD Sergeant Ivey. Holloway, employed by the Prosperity Bank located in Kerens, was arrested on two felony charges. Investigators uncovered bank documents in which allegedly Holloway forged other bank employees’ signatures in an attempt to cover the theft. Holloway was charged with felony theft of $1,500 to $20,000 as well as a felony charge of forgery. At press time, Holloway had not received a bond nor seen a judge.

These two cases were received by and investigated by Sergeant Ivey of the Kerens Police Department. Police Chief Bryan Miers stated, “Sergeant Ivey worked these cases. I would like to applaud his thoroughness. Job well done!”

In the coming weeks, the Kerens Police Department are preparing to begin a warrant roundup as well as continuing to protect the citizens of Kerens.

Melyn Diane Lott was arrested on Tuesday on felony charges filed by the Kerens Police Department. Lott remains at the Navarro County Jail listed as a no bond on a prior arrest for a parole violation.

Nicole Holloway was arrested and charged with two felony cases stemming from a month long investigation. Holloway’s bond is currently set at $5,000.00 for each charge.